Agriculture and Water Management in Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico, a mountainous Caribbean Island, is one of the regions in the world that is most affected by climate change and extreme weather events such as droughts, storms, and floods. Puerto Rico is an unincorporated territory of the US, which was once a thriving agricultural hub due to its rich biodiversity, tropical climate, and sustainable agriculture practices. In 2017, Hurricane Maria destroyed the island, leaving residents hungry because ships could not arrive at wrecked ports. Despite numerous challenges, a new surge of interest in agriculture and food production among younger Puerto Ricans is rising.

In this article, we will discuss issues related to agriculture and water management in Puerto Rico by considering current and future conditions.

Agriculture in Puerto Rico

The agriculture industry in Puerto Rico is not a major part of the country's GDP, but it still holds a significant aspect of the island's history and culture. In 2020, the industry constituted more than $800 M or around 0.69% of the island's GDP. Various significant crops are grown here, including rice, corn, sugar cane, and coffee. Some experts believe that a boost in agricultural production will increase the island's GDP. In contrast, others think Puerto Rico would benefit more from investing in another industry, like tourism. Like anything in agriculture, crop production has both costs and benefits, especially on a small island with limited arable land.

Problems with Agriculture in Puerto Rico

Here are the common issues farmers encounter during farming on this island.

1. The main problem is that the island nation is small and needs help to grow enough crops to compete with larger nations globally. Unlike in the US, where massive corporate farms exist, farms in Puerto Rico are smaller and family owned. Most crops are grown by farmers who own less than three acres or cuerdas (a Puerto Rican unit of land equal to 0.97 acres). This small land size means the quantity of food produced is minimal, which puts its agriculture industry at a disadvantage.
2. Another problem with agriculture is that it can take land that could be used for other purposes, such as tourism, as it is one of the major industries in Puerto Rico. So, every farm on the land requires a sacrifice because the land is limited. A quarter of the island's land is divided into more than 13,000 farms. Many farmlands are located in areas that can become excellent tourist attractions, such as near beaches or beautiful landscapes.
3. Furthermore, not all the island soil is ideal for growing crops. In most areas of Puerto Rico, the soil salinity level is very high, which makes it difficult for plants to grow and thrive. To cope with this issue and increase yields, farmers use excessive fertilizer that can damage the soil and watersheds.
4. Puerto Rico relies significantly on imports to supply food. More than 80% of food consumed on the island comes from imports. This increases the prices of food items and makes them more expensive than they would be if grown locally.
5. Hurricanes constantly threaten the island, making food deliveries difficult and driving up food prices even higher. Reducing imports and growing more crops on the island will make it easier to cut back on import costs and enjoy higher-quality food.

How Farmers Can Revolutionize Puerto Rico's Agriculture

Agroecology is low-impact and sustainable farming that works with nature to produce crops sustainably to protect natural resources and soil quality while removing carbon from the atmosphere. This small-scale sustainable agriculture is creating a resurgence in locally grown produce, which can revitalize the economy, improve food security, and reduce and adapt to the effects of climate change. Young farmers in Puerto Rico are improving the island's agriculture through agroecology. Agroecology is a broad term that covers many agricultural approaches like organic farming, permaculture farming, or biodynamic.

This holistic approach involves the following practices.

• It involves farming practices that can be applied to any ecosystem and microclimate.
• Farmers combine crops, livestock, plants, and the environment to maximize ecological conditions. For example, they grow fruit trees that help retain water and provide shade for plants and animals, which in turn fertilize the soil to optimize yield.
• It includes crop rotation and cover to benefit everyone- those who produce the food and locals who eat it.
• It provides locally driven solutions to food insecurity, water mismanagement, environmental degradation, biodiversity loss, and global warming.

Water Management in Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico has the largest water resources in the Caribbean but has some wasteful and inefficient water management and consumption practices. The inadequate water use by residents, farmers, corporations, and the Puerto Rico Aqueduct and Sewer Authority (PRASA) is a huge concern on the island. Puerto Rico experienced severe droughts in 2015. Following it, many parts of the island experienced several years of below-average rainfall with broad impacts. In addition, water levels in the Southern Coast aquifer of the isle have progressively declined for the last two decades.

During natural hazard events, potable water can become limited or contaminated, while non-potable water or wastewater may have nowhere to go. Houses manage water in two ways: they supply potable water from a large treatment facility and discharge wastewater and rainwater from homes.

Puerto Rico has some of the most abundant water resources in the world, with 1200 waterbodies irrigating it and an average of 30-170 inches of rainwater each year. However, more water treatment infrastructure is needed to filter or distribute this water. Federal agencies are creating programs to enhance access to water resources. The programs support local water security projects and increase the capacity to invest in water resources.

Long-Term Water Security Strategy in Puerto Rico

The government is initiating projects to address the water crisis and protect aquifers in the southern region of Puerto Rico. There is a strategy to draw water from other sources and store it in aquifers, known as aquifer storage and recovery (ASR). This works by harvesting water from the nearby Patillas reservoir, which usually spills water into the sea. A canal water system will transport the water to the island's Southern coast, where it will be used to restore the aquifer. Analysis and calculations show that this strategy will be less costly than other alternatives, like the construction of the new pipeline, and it will also increase water availability for agriculture.

The Impact of Climate Change on Agriculture and Water Quality in Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico is a tropical island that is vulnerable to storms and hurricanes. As a result of climate change, hurricanes are increasing in intensity and frequency. Moreover, Puerto Rico frequently experiences power outages due to a weak electrical grid despite weather patterns. The climate risk on the island is increased due to deforestation, pollution, mass tourism, solid waste mishandling, wetland removal, and coastal ecosystem destruction. All these activities impact water quality.

The NIEHS PR Test Site for Exploring Contaminating Threats program found higher levels of bacteria, turbidity, and chlorinated volatile organic compounds in water across Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria, a category four storm. These increased contamination levels of contamination pose long-term risks to the environment and human health. This means numerous chemicals are affecting water quality and spreading chemicals in Puerto Rico's aquifers. When choosing a water source for a treatment facility, it is crucial to test various water sources because standard water treatment may not effectively remove heavy chemicals and contamination.

The Bottom Line

Agriculture has historical significance on this small, isolated island and is likely to remain forever. Promoting sustainable agriculture and improving water security in Puerto Rico will provide less expensive, high-quality food and good-quality water, which will create more jobs for the population.